Scripture’s Systematic Theology

Second Timothy 3:16–17 says that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Those verses are rightly regarded as some of the most important teaching we have on the nature of Scripture. Yet they also contain vital instruction on what we must do with Scripture. Since God’s Word is profitable for “training in righteousness” and can equip us “for every good work,” we have a duty to engage Scripture and plumb its depths so as to be trained and equipped. In other words, we are to learn Scripture’s systematic theology.

This year, our daily devotionals will take us through the system of theology taught in Scripture, covering the major doctrines of the Christian faith as they have been expressed under several major loci or headings. Scripture comes to us as a collection of different writings by different human authors, but it has one divine Author—God—and teaches one coherent system of truth. Knowing at least the basics of this system is essential for healthy Christian living.

We begin this month with what we call theological prolegomena, or introductory matters regarding the study of theology. We will pay special attention to the doctrine of revelation and especially the doctrine of Scripture.

These verses parallel the themes of the studies each week. We encourage you to hide them in your heart so that you may not sin against the Lord: